Janelle Yasukochi's excellent work and dedication to the campus community led to her being singled out as the 2023 Junior Administrative Faculty of the Year.
Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Yasukochi worked abroad in Japan for several years before landing in Las Vegas. She earned her bachelor of science in biochemistry at California State University, East Bay and a master of business administration at UNLV.
Yasukochi's career at UNLV began in 2017 with the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs. She is now an academic advising coordinator in the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education.
Her most recent contribution to the academic advising community was her work to receive a $25,000 grant from the , which led to the creation of the Academic Wellness Commission. The commission developed various initiatives to make academic advising a sustainable profession at UNLV.
In addition, she worked with the Adult Learner Advisory Board to collaborate more with campus partners in Student Life. The collaboration ultimately led to the establishment of the CSUN Adult Learner Scholarship, and an opportunity for 10 students to receive a $1,000 scholarship each.
Yasukochi believes being a Rebel means giving back to the community by helping others succeed. "Access to equitable and excellent education with a supportive community that promotes collaboration, integrity, and stewardship is the key to success," she says.
The Junior Administrative Faculty of the Year award, says Yasukochi, made her feel very appreciated by her colleagues and the institution. She also sees it as motivation for her to continue working toward her goals to support others.
Her best advice to others who also strive to make a difference in the community? "Speak up more, ask questions, and work collectively to advocate for changes when necessary," advises Yasukochi.
Yasukochi believes the academic advisor position is unique in its ability to advocate for students’ success through the creation of a meaningful experience at UNLV. Her goals are to continue to support the academic advising community, build more connections through campus and the community, and participate in more UNLV leadership activities and programs.
Those who nominated Yasukochi say they are honored to have someone like her as part of the UNLV community, and hope that her achievements inspire others to continue working toward excellence in their profession.
When she's not at work, Yasukochi enjoys Las Vegas' wide variety of food options. She also likes spending time with her family and friends, binge-watching TV shows and movies, and is a big fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
